Tucson, AZprivate forprofitwww.empire.edu/
Empire Beauty School-Tucson is a no-frills, career-focused cosmetology school where students train for immediate work in hair, skincare, and nails. With a 100% acceptance rate and flexible admissions, it attracts aspiring beauty professionals who want hands-on training without the hurdles of traditional college. The school’s small classes and industry-aligned curriculum prioritize practical skills, but graduates face modest earnings—median pay hovers around $26,908—reflective of the beauty industry’s entry-level realities.
Empire Beauty School-Tucson operates on an open-door admissions policy, with a 100% acceptance rate—no SAT, ACT, or GPA requirements. Prospective students need only a high school diploma or GED, and applications are processed year-round for rolling start dates. The school actively recruits from local shelters, offering the Empire Beauty School Gives Back Endowment to recent shelter residents. While some Empire campuses report a $125 application fee, Tucson’s exact fee isn’t specified in available sources.
The school’s sole focus is cosmetology and personal grooming services, with programs designed to meet Arizona state licensing requirements. Students train in haircutting, coloring, skincare, and nail techniques through a mix of classroom instruction and salon-floor practice. The , allowing for hands-on coaching. Transfer students are treated as new enrollees, meaning prior credits rarely apply. Notably, students who maintain receive a $500 completion award—a rare incentive in vocational education.
Life at Empire is all business, with classes held Monday–Wednesday from 9 AM to 7 PM at its Speedway Boulevard campus. The intimate setting—just 6 full-time undergrads reported at one Tucson location—means students work closely with peers and instructors. Social media highlights student work, like textured waves styled by a Tucson trainee, but there’s no traditional campus vibe: no dorms, clubs, or sports. Days blend theory lessons with live client sessions, building portfolios for job searches.
The 83% graduation rate is strong for a vocational program, but post-grad earnings are modest: alumni median income is $26,908, below the national midpoint for certificate holders ($34,461). About 53% of Empire students finish on time (a proxy for the Tucson campus, per comparable data). The school emphasizes licensure prep—Arizona requires 1,600 training hours—but grads often start at chain salons or freelance, where pay scales lean entry-level. Those who stick with the field see earnings rise to ~$45k after 5 years.
Tuition runs $15,922 after aid, with the average student receiving $3,544 in grants/scholarships. The school participates in federal aid programs, and the Empire Gives Back Endowment offers additional support for qualifying students. A Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator helps estimate costs, but beware: beauty schools often understate expenses like kit fees (shears, mannequins, etc.), which can add thousands. Compared to pricier rivals like Aveda, Empire positions itself as the budget option—though loans can still burden grads given the modest starting salaries.
Empire Beauty School-Tucson is unapologetically vocational—no gen-ed classes, no campus frills, just a direct path to a cosmetology license. Its 100% acceptance rate and flexible scheduling cater to non-traditional students, including those rebuilding from hardship. While earnings outcomes are humble, the school’s $500 attendance incentive and focus on hands-on client work reflect a pragmatic approach. For Tucson residents set on beauty careers, it’s the local option with the fewest barriers to entry—but success hinges on hustle post-graduation.